A case of murder in a building would be a terrifying hazard for any average resident. However, for the three main protagonists in Only Murders in the Building, it is a captivating event they just cannot seem to pry themselves away from. This humorous murder television series on Hulu follows an unlikely trio of mystery fanatics, who bite the bullet in an effort to find the murderer, discovering unexpected twists and turns while exploring the very building that they live in. 

Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short team up in this enticing mystery- turned-comedy to present audiences with a feast for both the mind and the eyes. The series’ suspenseful plot and commentary on society’s obsession with violence as a source of entertainment helped catch and retain the attention of many. The critically acclaimed series has been released up to season two on its original platform, Hulu, and is also available on Disney+ Korea.

A Fresh Take on Mystery-Comedies

Everything is not as it seems in the Arconia building when resident Tim Kono is found murdered in his own home. This shocking event is what brings together the three main characters of the show: Charles Haden-Savage, a once famous actor from a popular series in the 1990s, Oliver Putnam, a washed-up Broadway director, and Mabel Mora, a young woman with a secret concerning the victim of the murder. These three soon find themselves investigating the suspicious happenstances in the building as well as the deep, dark secrets of their neighbors, all the while sharing their discoveries to the public in a self-made true crime podcast series.

All the characters in the show – even the murderer – get a chance to explain their thoughts or events throughout the series. This contributes to the dynamic of the show, with each character’s perspective adding a fresh layer to the overall narrative. Season one episode seven, titled “The Boy from 6B,” is performed with zero dialogue, as it follows a deaf character all throughout. Scenes shown from the deaf character’s perspective present low-frequency audio with the character’s dialogues written on the screen, through the deaf character’s understanding based on lip reading and sign language. Other scenes are played out silently, entirely based on the actors’ physical movements. The absence of sound is not only novel and intriguing, but it also helps viewers focus on more critical clues to solve the mystery.

Moreover, the characters’ quirky interactions in the show add to the show’s lively sense of humor. For instance, the exchanges between two lovable old men and a bold young woman, although widely unprecedented, are not overplayed, but are rather realistically portrayed, with witty banter proving their excellent chemistry. Furthermore, as all good mysteries should be, each episode unfolds smoothly, and  are subtly provided to the viewers, rather than having each new discovery picked apart in front of them.

Creation and Reception of the Show

Steve Martin, creator of and actor in the show, explained that the show started with an idea he had had for about ten years: three old men with a common interest in crime living in a building together. One day, the three men attempt to solve a mystery, but since they are too old and tired to go outside, decide to solve one only inside their residential building, hence the title. The idea, while seemingly silly, is a brilliant one, as it is able to focus in-depth on the people in the building, finding out surprising details about the very neighbors they live with. With the added element of superstar Selena Gomez and a couple of surprise cameos like Sting and Tina Fey playing integral roles in the plot, audiences will be all the more delighted to watch this series.

The show also adds a meta element in which the characters create a true crime podcast explaining what they discover about the murder. As the name suggests, true crime is a nonfiction genre that deals with real-life crimes, mysteries, and murders. Its addictive and provocative nature is known to lure fans in, just like how the three main characters in Only Murders in the Building are crazy about true crime podcasts. However, the show goes beyond the portrayal of the true crime craze and successfully criticizes its downsides concerning the creators, fans, and their moral ambiguity.

For instance, while the main characters record a neighbor for their podcast, they try to trick him into consenting to record, as they know he will dislike the idea of being recorded. This is a humorous criticism towards true crime podcasters who cross ethical lines when obtaining personal information to gouge their personal interests. Moreover, the trio’s podcast begins to gain popularity and gains a few fans, and these fans are seen staking out the Arconia day and night just to meet the stars of their beloved podcast. Through this, the show is poking fun at the ludicrousness of true crime nuts and how they treat crime and murder as if it were entertainment, rather than a serious tragedy for the people involved.

Unlike the title of the show, this series has so much more than Only Murders in the Building. The series also deals with friendship, humor, and important themes like protecting personal information and the value of life. A nail-biting, self-aware murder mystery, audiences will be able to enjoy themselves watching the show and figuring out the mystery along the way. Further recommended content is an extremely meta podcast about the show, Only Murders in the Building Podcast, which discusses the characters and events within the show, and occasionally has the show’s creators and actors on as guests. Through this podcast, fans will be able to delve deeper into the world of the Arconia and its peculiar residents. 

Television Series Information

Genre: Mystery, Comedy

Creator: Steve Martin, John Hoffman

Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez

Running Time: 27-36 minutes per episode

Streaming Platform: Hulu, Disney+ Korea